Could a struggling Vikings QB become a trade chip? One analyst believes a coach could revive his career, landing the team a prime draft spot.
Where will J.J. McCarthy play football next season? That's the lingering question some are asking of the Minnesota Vikings quarterback heading into the 2026 season. They ask the question because of what the Vikings did this offseason.
Minnesota added a franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray last month. The move signals a clear change in direction from McCarthy after a first full season with the former Top 10 pick for the Vikings. Some still seem to think the addition of Murray means the end of McCarthy's quarterbacking days in Minnesota.
Prevailing wisdom seems to indicate that the Vikings prospect's trade value could not be lower after an up and down season in 2025. One NFL analyst seems to disagree.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell predicts that not only could the quarterback be traded, but that he could find a good landing spot and help the Vikings move up in the draft. He explained why the Vikings could send McCarthy and the team's No. 18 and 97 pick for the Rams' No. 13 pick in the draft.
"Is McCarthy a viable solution? The results we've seen so far say no. But great coaches also have a habit of revitalizing quarterbacks who didn't look like NFL-caliber starters. Sean McVay turned around Baker Mayfield's career after he had been unceremoniously dumped by the Browns and Panthers. Kyle Shanahan turned Sam Darnold in the right direction and appears to have righted the path for Mac Jones. Andy Reid helped save Nick Foles' career before the backup won a Super Bowl with the Eagles.
Of course, McCarthy was already under one of those highly touted coaches in Kevin O'Connell, who was on McVay's staff in Los Angeles. In addition to the issues McCarthy had as a pure passer during the 2025 season, he missed all of 2024 with a knee injury and was sidelined by multiple injuries in 2025. It might be tough to count on him making it through a full 17-game season, let alone playing well in the process."
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands the ball off to Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesThe bold trade makes a few assumptions. Among them, the trade assumes that the Rams can find value in adding McCarthy. That said, the reclamation project can't fully be ruled out, especially since the Rams would only move back five spots and add an additional third-round pick.
The likelihood may be that the Rams turn down such a trade, but it would be interesting to see how that discussion would unfold. The Vikings will draft at No. 18 if they opt to keep their pick.